Writing a research paper

At the end of the paper I have a carefully formatted reference list, which conforms to the appropriate style manual’s guidelines (e.g. APA Style).

I have provided an appropriately formatted in-text citation for every piece of information from another source.

I’ve addressed any feedback from my professor or supervisor.

I have an interesting introduction, giving a sense of what my topic is, why it’s important, and how I will discuss it.

All of the key sub-arguments or claims are briefly pointed out or outlined in the introduction.

Near the beginning of each paragraph, I’ve used a good topic sentence.

Every paragraph is unified to convey one specific idea.

The relationship between each paragraph and the preceding paragraph or section is made clear by a good transition, in or before the topic sentence.

The relationship between each paragraph and the thesis of the paper is clear.

No paragraph is unreasonably short or long, being just long enough to explain or prove the point.

The relationship between each sentence and the preceding sentence is made clear, either through continuity in the topic matter or an appropriate transitional word or phrase.

I have a conclusion that does not present any new argumentative support to the thesis, does not merely repeat the information given in the introduction, and does not leave the reader unsatisfied or confused.

Well done!

Checklist: Title page

Name the type of document: Are you writing a bachelor’s dissertation, master’s dissertation or essay?

Title: A short, catchy title that makes the reader eager for more.

Subtitle: A subtitle often consists of 1 or 2 sentences that clarify the title.

Illustration: Illustration of the topic of your dissertation. Make sure the illustration is of a high quality.

Publication date: Note here the date that you are going to send the document to the university for final review.

First initials and last name of the author: Do you have an official title? Then don’t forget to add it (for example, BSc). It is customary not to write out your first name. You can also add the initials of any baptismal or additional names.

Educational institution: State the name of the educational institution.

Function, title, initials and last name of supervisor: Does the supervisor have an official title? Don’t forget to state this. You can often find the official title on your supervisor’s profile on the website of your school. Next to your supervisor’s name, write also his or her function. In this case, that is ‘supervisor’.

Function, title, initials and last name of second reader/examiner: Just as with the supervisor, here you state the function, initials and last name of the second reader. If you don’t know whom your second reader or examiner is, you can ask this of your supervisor.

Well done!

Your title page should be perfect now! Use the other checklist to further improve your thesis.

Checklist: Information Page

Name of document type: Are you writing a bachelor’s dissertation, master’s dissertation or essay?

Title: A short, catchy title that makes the reader eager for more.

Subtitle: A subtitle often consists of 1 or 2 sentences that clarify the title.

Publication date: Note here the date that you are going to send the document to the university for final review.

First initials and last name of the author: Do you have an official title? Then don’t forget to add it (for example, BSc). It is customary not to write out your first name. You can also add the initials of any baptismal or additional names.

Educational institution: State the name of the educational institution.

Function, title, initials and last name of supervisor: Does your supervisor have an official title? Don’t forget to state this. You can often find the official title on your supervisor’s profile on the website of your school. Next to your supervisor’s name, write also his or her function. In this case, that is ‘supervisor’.

Function, title, initials and last name of second reader/examiner: Just as with the supervisor, here you state the function, initials and last name of the second reader. If you don’t know whom your second reader or examiner is, you can ask this of your supervisor.

Well done!

Your information page should be perfect now! Use the other checklist to further improve your thesis.

The relationship between each paragraph and the preceding paragraph or section is made clear by a good transition , in or before the topic sentence.Transitions

The relationship between each paragraph and the thesis of the essay is clear.

No paragraph is unreasonably short or long.

The relationship between each sentence and the preceding sentence is made clear, either by continuity in the topic matter or an appropriate transitional word or phrase.

I have a conclusion that does not present any crucial argumentative support to the thesis, does not merely repeat the information given in the introduction, and does not leave the reader unsatisfied or confused.Conclusion